Legislate for a council tax discount for all pensioners

I feel that current council tax rates do not take pension incomes into account. This means some pensioners are having to pay what I think is a very significant percentage of their pension towards council tax.

When many pensioners have worked for 50 odd years, paid into a pension, bought their own house, then retire on a lower income, I do not think they should have to pay such a significant amount of council tax.

Councils provide over 800 vital local public services to millions of people across the country. Council tax is an essential component of their funding, without which councils would not be able to meet their legal responsibilities.

To ensure fairness in the system, there are a range of discounts and exemptions to reflect personal circumstances. Councils are required to put in place a centrally prescribed support scheme for pension-age households. This ensures that the lowest-income pensioners are not required to make any contribution towards their council tax. In March 2025, 1.4m claimants were being supported by the pension age local council tax support. The government has no plans to introduce a mandatory discount for all pensioners.

The Government expects local authorities to carefully consider the financial implications for their residents, including those with lower incomes, when setting their council tax levels. Every billing authority is required to have a locally designed council tax support scheme to reduce bills for those in financial difficulty.

We are committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including when they reach retirement. Support for pensioners is available via the State Pension and a range of other benefits. This year, the Government will spend over £174 billion directly on the State Pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain in 2025/26. The full rate of the new State Pension has risen to £230.25 per week, which is over £12,000 per year, following an increase in line with average earnings.

The basic State Pension has also increased to £176.45 per week, which is over £9,200 per year. These increases reflect our commitment to the Triple Lock and to protecting pensioners from the rising cost of living. The Government’s commitment to maintaining the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament will mean the annual spending on people’s State Pensions is forecast to rise by around £31 billion and this will see pensioners’ yearly incomes being up to £1,900 higher by the end of this parliament.

Supplementary benefits provide additional support, including Pension Credit (which guarantees a minimum level of income for low-income pensioners). Pensioners receiving Pension Credit also to receive other benefits (help with council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75).

The Government has announced that everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. This extends eligibility to the vast majority of pensioners, with around 9 million, or over three quarters, benefitting.

Other key supplementary benefits for low-income pensioners include the Warm Home Discount (rebate on energy bills); Housing Benefit (help with rent); and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Household Support Fund in England provides discretionary support towards the cost of essentials, which the Government has extended until 31 March 2026. Pensioners also qualify for free eye tests and NHS prescriptions, and free bus passes.

HM Treasury